Overview
Introduction
CEOs seek ghSMART’s advice for their most high-stake leadership challenges. And often, ghSMART’s clients see them as the most influential professional relationships they have. Those who aspire to be a trusted advisor to CEOs, Boards and Investors of the world and are equipped with experience at one of the big three strategy firms or a PhD in Psychology should take a closer look at ghSMART.
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Vault Verdict
At ghSMART & Co., the emphasis is on delivering impactful leadership advisory services, drawing professionals who relish the opportunity to tackle high-stake challenges. The firm is celebrated for its client impact and flexible working model, but its fully remote structure can sometimes lead to a sense of disconnection among colleagues.
In terms of culture, the firm places a strong emphasis on autonomy, allowing consultants to tailor their workload to their individual needs (the upside of that fully remote structure). This model offers freedom but also requires consultants to effectively manage their own career trajectory and work-life balance. Compensation is directly tied to productivity, allowing for high earning potential based on individual effort an...
About the Company
ghSMART Founder Dr. Geoff Smart’s Psychology PhD dissertation found that those private equity firms best at choosing teams made the most money. Equipped with an expertise in human behavior, he and his early colleagues went on to advise private equity investors to accelerate (or de-risk) value creation by selecting and developing their portfolios’ leadership teams. Today, ghSMART is still a trusted advisor to large private equity investors, as well as, to CEOs and Boards of F500s and non-profits. ghSMART consultants are each charged with helping their ‘top of the house’ clients achieve their business goals and personal aspirations, build the most effective teams and align a purposeful organization.
A Double Helix
ghSMART’s more than fifty consultants help their c-level clients solve the...
Employee Reviews
“Consider ghSMART if you enjoy solving leadership issues at the top of the house of Fortune 500 or Private Equity backed companies. Ideally, start at a major strategy consulting firm to build basic business acumen, then consider joining us!”
“ghSMART pioneered leadership advisory and remains the undisputed industry leader. What ghSMART does in the market, others follow.”
“I've found my sweet spot—high impact, really meaty challenges and deep human engagement—all the while being well-compensated.”
“The combination of rock-solid data and a kind, caring, empathetic approach to answering the most critical questions on the minds of our clients.”
“We keep the quality of people and engagements from MBB but do it in a sustainable manner with freedom and flexibility.”
Why Work Here
We are the world’s most effective leadership advisors. Masters of the art of advising and the science of leadership intelligence.
For over two decades, we’re helped CEOs, boards, and investors see the patterns others miss. Our dual mastery of strategy and human behavior, combined with a rigorous process and database of over 23,000 assessments, allows us an unmatched perspective into a business. We help leaders from Fortune 500 companies, leading investment management firms, and the largest private equity firms reveal new paths forward, new opportunities, and new ways to lift up the people they lead.
Getting Hired Here
“ghSMART has a rigorous, long interview process that goes through many steps before an offer is extended, including a case study and our proprietary SmartAssessment. The ideal candidate is introspective but driven and has a sharp analytical mind. I remain impressed by the quality of the candidates that make it through the process; they are well positioned to thrive as soon as they hit the door.”
“Very thorough but collaborative mutual diligence process. Ideal candidate is extraordinarily accomplished at top schools and firms and consistently achieved top end performance.”
“We are seeking elite players from other advisory firms who care about leadership, organization and people as the levers to create value.”
“We conduct an initial introductory call to explain what we do and explore interest, followed by a phone screen and a case study. If the candidate passes and wants to continue, we conduct a SmartAssessment which is where we walk through their career in depth using the 5 questions [outlined in the “Interview Questions” section. If they pass that and want to continue, we conduct reference calls and a background check, and give them a chance to talk to about five to eight members of our team, including our president and chairman.
"We look for 1) exceptional strategy consultants with high EQ who are passionate about leadership issues, 2) exceptional PhD psychologists who understand business, and 3) operators with an unusual combination of IQ, EQ, and passion for solving leadership issues.”
- “We typically hire out of strategy consulting firms or for consultants who have a PhD psychology background.”